Multi-use removable electronic data storage device carrier module

ABSTRACT

A built-in dual purpose interposer device for a data storage device carrier mechanism is provided. The interposer device may fill empty or voided space in the carrier mechanism created when a data storage device is changed between a “direct plug” position, or first configuration, and an “interposer” position, or second configuration. The interposer device may be changed back and forth between the first and second configuration multiple times. When in the first configuration, the interposer device may provide structural support to a front end of the carrier mechanism and when in the second configuration, the interposer device may provide an internal mounting base for the data storage device at the base or bottom end of the carrier mechanism. The ability to interchange the interposer device may provide for a built-in base for attaching the interposer device without having to add in additional parts or costs.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY UNDER 35 U.S.C. §119

The present Application for Patent claims priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/329,291 entitled “Multi-Use Removable Electronic DataStorage Device Carrier Module”, filed Apr. 29, 2010, assigned to theassignee hereof and hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

Various features relate to improvements to data storage carriers, andmore particularly, to a data storage device carrier mechanism thatallows for storing an interposer device as part of the carrier mechanism

BACKGROUND

Multi data storage device enclosures (e.g., hard-drive deviceenclosures) often allow multiple storage devices to be removed and/orreplaced as the user's needs may change. In order to accommodate the useof data storage devices from different manufacturers, storage devicecarriers may be used to hold the data storage devices. However,consumers may wish to use data storage devices (e.g., hard-drives)having different types of connection interfaces, for example, SerialAdvanced Technology Attachment (SATA), Serial Attached SCSI (SAS),Universal Serial Bus (USB), etc. To accommodate such different types ofinterfaces, a passive or active interposer device may be used. That is,a device providing an electrical interface routing between one socket orconnection to another may be used. Thus, depending on the type of datastorage device interface selected by the consumer, the consumer mayutilize one or more different types of interposer devices toelectrically couple the data storage device to a data bus in the multidata storage device enclosure. Such interposer devices may serve tomechanically and/or electrically convert one type of interface to asecond type of interface.

While it would be convenient to deploy the interposer device as part ofthe storage device carrier, a problem exists that when such interposerdevice is not in use, it may be misplaced and/or lost. Furthermore, ifthe data storage device is later replaced with one of a differentinterface type, the consumer would be unable to couple it to the databus in the multi data storage device enclosure due to the missinginterposer device. As a result, the user will have to purchase a newinterposer device for the new data storage device. To accommodate theconsumers, manufacturers need to maintain an inventory of differentinterposer devices which increases the costs and the tooling needed.

Consequently, a novel data storage device carrier mechanism that allowsfor storing the interposer device as part of the carrier mechanism isneeded.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of one or moreimplementations in order to provide a basic understanding of someimplementations. This summary is not an extensive overview of allcontemplated implementations, and is intended to neither identify key orcritical elements of all implementations nor delineate the scope of anyor all implementations. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts ofone or more implementations in a simplified form as a prelude to themore detailed description that is presented later.

According to one feature, a built-in dual purpose removable electronicdata storage device carrier module for a data storage device isprovided. The built-in dual purpose removable electronic data storagedevice carrier module, or interposer device, may fill empty or voidedspace in the carrier mechanism created when the data storage device ischanged or switched between a “direct plug” position, or firstconfiguration, and an “interposer” position, or second configuration.The interposer device may be changed back and forth between the firstand second configurations multiple times. When in the firstconfiguration, the interposer device may provide structural support to afront end of a carrier mechanism and when in the second configuration,the interposer device may provide an internal mounting base for the datastorage device at a bottom end of the carrier mechanism and may becommunicatively coupled to a data interface for the data storage device.The ability to interchange the interposer device may provide for abuilt-in base for attaching the interposer device without having to addin additional parts or costs. As a result, both a cost savings to theconsumer and a simplified method of installing various interposercircuit boards are provided.

In one aspect, a data storage device carrier mechanism that is adaptedor sized to fit within a multi storage device enclosure is provided. Thedata storage device may include first and second side rails that areadapted to attach to a data storage device, such as a hard drive. Thefirst side rail may include a first rail top end and a first rail bottomend while the second side rail may include a second rail top end and asecond rail bottom end. An interposer device may be coupled to the firstand second side rails and may be interchanged between a firstconfiguration and a second configuration. When in the firstconfiguration, the interposer device may be coupled to the first railtop end and the second rail top end and when in the secondconfiguration, the interposer device may be coupled to the first railbottom end rail and the second rail bottom end when in the secondconfiguration.

In another aspect, the data storage device carrier mechanism may includefirst and second attachment points located in the first and second siderails for securing the data storage device to the carrier mechanism. Thefirst and second side rails may be shifted in position relative to thedata storage device when changing between the first and secondconfigurations. The data storage device may be secured at the firstattachment point when in the first configuration and secured at thesecond attachment point when in the second configuration.

In yet another aspect, the interposer device may comprise a flatsurface, first and second sidewalls and first and second end walls wherethe sidewalls and the end walls are integrally connected to, and extendcontinuously from, the flat surface. The first end wall may include oneor more one integrally connected fastening members that extend outwardlyfor releasable engagement with one or more upper card attachment pointsin the first rail top end of the carrier mechanism when the interposerdevice is in the first configuration. The second end wall may includeone or more one integrally connected fastening protrusions that extendoutwardly for releasable engagement with one or more upper cardattachment holes in the second rail top end of the carrier mechanismwhen the interposer device is in the first configuration.

In yet another aspect, to secure the interposer device to the secondrail of the data storage device carrier mechanism, a fastener may beinserted through a hole in the second rail top end and into an aperturein the interposer device.

In yet another aspect, the first rail bottom end may include one or morelower card attachment points for receiving the one or more cardfastening members located on the first end wall of the interposer devicewhen the interposer device is in the second configuration. The secondrail bottom end may include one or more lower card attachment points forreceiving the one or more card fastening protrusions located on thesecond end wall of the interposer device when the interposer device isin the second configuration.

Additionally, a pull handle may be pivotably coupled to the first railtop end for sliding the data storage device in and out of the multistorage device enclosure using the pull handle. When the interposerdevice is assembled the first configuration, the pull handle is adaptedto fit over the interposer device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a carrier mechanismwith a data storage device in a first configuration, according to oneaspect.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a carrier mechanismwith a data storage device in a second configuration, according to oneaspect.

FIG. 3 illustrates a close-up outer side perspective view of theinterposer device coupling to a first side rail in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates a close-up inner side perspective view of theinterposer device coupling to a second side rail in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the carrier mechanismof FIG. 1 in a partially assembled first configuration, according to oneaspect.

FIG. 6 illustrates a close-up outer side perspective view of theinterposer device coupling to a first side rail in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 illustrates a close-up inner side perspective view of theinterposer device, secured to the second side rail, coupling to thefirst side rail when in the first configuration.

FIG. 8 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the carrier mechanismof FIG. 2 in a partially assembled second configuration, in accordancewith one aspect.

FIG. 9 illustrates a close-up outer side perspective view of theinterposer device coupling to the first side rail in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 illustrates an inner side perspective view of the interposerdevice coupling to the second side rail in the second configuration.

FIG. 11 illustrates a close-up inner side perspective view of theinterposer device coupling to the second side rail in FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are setforth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments.However, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art thatthe embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. Forexample, operations may be shown in block diagrams, or not be shown atall, in order not to obscure the embodiments in unnecessary detail. Inother instances, well-known operations, structures and techniques maynot be shown in detail in order not to obscure the embodiments.

In the following description, certain terminology is used to describecertain features of one or more embodiments. The term “fastener” or“fastening member” may refer to any type of device for connecting metal,plastic and other materials in common data storage device carrierconstruction, including screws, bolts, nuts, washers, rivets, cotterpins, clevis pins, studs, threaded rods and other mechanical connectors.The term “hole” may refer to any opening through a structure and/orcomponent or a hollowed-out place in a structure and/or component,including apertures, bores, cavities, chambers, grooves, notches,passages, slits and slots. The term “protrusion” may refer to objects orparts projecting in an outward manner from a structure and/or component.

According to one aspect, a built-in dual purpose removable electronicdata storage device carrier module for a data storage device carriermechanism may be provided. The built-in dual purpose removableelectronic data storage device carrier module, or interposer device, mayfill empty or voided space in the carrier mechanism created when thedata storage device is changed or switched between a “direct plug”position, or first configuration, and an “interposer” position, orsecond configuration. The interposer device may be changed back andforth between the first and second configurations multiple times. Whenin the first configuration, the interposer device may provide structuralsupport to a front end of a carrier mechanism and when in the secondconfiguration, the interposer device may provide an internal mountingbase for the data storage device at a bottom end of the carriermechanism. The ability to interchange the interposer device may providefor a built-in base for attaching the interposer device without havingto add in additional parts or costs. As a result, both a cost savings tothe consumer and a simplified method of installing various interposercircuit boards are provided.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a carrier mechanism100 with a data storage device 110 in a first configuration, accordingto one aspect. The carrier mechanism may include first and second siderails 106 and 108, a pull handle 104, and an interposer device 102. Thefirst side rail 106 may have a first rail top end 103 a and a first railbottom end 103 b while the second side rail may have a second rail topend 105 a and a second rail bottom end 105 b.

The carrier mechanism 100 may be adapted or sized to fit within a multistorage device enclosure (not shown) and slide in and out of suchenclosure using the pull handle 104. The pull handle 104, wheninstalled, may be pivotably attached to the first rail top end 103 a ofthe first side rail 106 so that the data storage device 110 (e.g., ahard drive) may be pulled or removed from within the multi storagedevice enclosure in which it may be housed. When the carrier mechanismis in the first configuration, the pull handle 104 may be pivotablycoupled to the first side rail 106 over the interposer device 102. Tosecure the pull handle 104 to the first side rail 106, one or moreattachment pins 114, extending outwardly from side portions 116 a and116 b of the first rail top end 103 a of the first side rail 106, may bereceived in attachment holes 118 in pull handle side portions 120 a and120 b. Guide pins 122, extending outwardly from the side portions 116 aand 116 b of the first rail top end 103 a below the one or moreattachment pins 114, may be received in pull handle slots 124 extendinghorizontally, at least partially into the pull handle side portions 120a and 120 b, when the pull handle 104 is installed. As the pull handle104 is pivoted, the guide pins 122 may slideably engage the pull handleslots 124.

The interposer device 102 may be located between the first rail top end103 a and second rail top end 105 a of the first and second side rails106 and 108, in accordance with the first configuration, or locatedbetween the first rail bottom end 103 b and second rail bottom end 105 bof the first and second side rails 106 and 108, in accordance with asecond configuration, as discussed in more detail below.

The interposer device 102 may be sold or distributed as part of thecarrier mechanism and may be structurally integral with the carriermechanism 100. When not in use as an interface, the interposer device102 may be placed at a front end of the data storage device 110, in thefirst configuration, where, as described above, is coupled to the firstrail top end 103 a and the second rail top end 105 a of the side rails106 and 108. That is, the interposer device 102 may engage the top endsof the side rails 106 and 108 to provide structural rigidity for a frontend of the carrier mechanism 100.

In one aspect, the interposer device 102 may include a flat surface 126and two opposing sidewalls 128 and 130 integrally connected to twoopposing end walls 132 and 134. The sidewalls, 128 and 130, and endwalls, 132 and 134, may extend continuously from the flat surface 126 toform the interposer device 102. One or more of the sidewalls 128 and 130may include an interface connector 135 (See FIG. 2) which may then becoupled to a data bus interface 112 at the back of the data storagedevice 110, when the carrier mechanism is in the second configuration.

The interposer device 102 may be sized such that it is received betweenthe first side rail 106 and second side rail 108 of the carriermechanism 100. In one aspect, the first end wall 132 of the interposerdevice 102 may include one or more card fastening members 136, extendingoutwardly and integrally connected to the first end wall 132, and thefirst side rail 106 may include one or more upper card attachment points138 for receiving the one or more card fastening members 136 securingthe interposer device 102 to the first rail top end 103 a of the firstside rail 106.

In one aspect, the second end wall 134 of the interposer device 102 mayinclude one or more card fastening protrusions 140 (See FIG. 3) and thesecond side rail 108 may include one or more card upper attachment holes142 (See FIG. 4) for receiving the one or more card fasteningprotrusions 140 coupling the interposer device 102 to the second railtop end 105 a of the second side rail 108. Once coupled together, afastener 144 may be inserted through a hole 146 in the second rail topend 105 a of the second side rail 108 and into an aperture 148 (See FIG.3) in the second end wall 134 for securing the second side rail 108 tothe interposer device 102.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the carrier mechanismwith the data storage device in the second configuration, according toone aspect. In the second configuration, when the interposer device 102is in use, it may be removed from the front end of the data storagedevice 110 and moved to the back end. The interface connector 135 maythen be coupled to the data bus interface 112 at the back of the datastorage device 110. That is, the interposer device 102 may be detachedfrom the first rail top end 103 a and the second rail top end 105 a,inverted and then attached to the first rail bottom end 103 b and thesecond rail bottom end 105 b. In order to accommodate the repositioningof the interposer device 102 to the back of the data storage device 110,the first and second side rails 106 and 108 may be shifted down. Forthis purpose, the side rails 106 and 108 may include differentattachment points. For instance, fasteners 137 to the data storagedevice 110 may be moved from a first attachment point 139 to a secondattachment point 141.

FIG. 3 illustrates a close-up outer side perspective view of theinterposer device coupling to the second side rail 108 when in the firstconfiguration, i.e. not in use (as illustrated in FIG. 1). As discussedpreviously, the interposer device 102 may be coupled to the second siderail 108 by inserting the one or more card fastening protrusions 140 ofthe interposer device 102 into one or more card upper attachment holes142 (See FIG. 4) in the second rail top end 105 a. Once coupledtogether, the fastener 144 may be inserted through the hole 146 in thesecond rail top end 105 a of the second side rail 108 and into theaperture 148 in the second end wall 134 of the interposer device 102 forsecuring the second side rail 108 to the interposer device 102. In oneaspect, when securing the interposer device 102 to the second side rail108, rotational force may be applied to the fastener 144 once thefastener 144 has been inserted. For example, the fastener 144 may berotated clockwise when securing the side rail 108 to the interposerdevice 102 and may be rotated counter-clockwise when disassembling theside rail 108 from the interposer device 102.

FIG. 4 illustrates a close-up inner side perspective view of theinterposer device 102 coupling to the second side rail 108 when in thefirst configuration, i.e. not in use (as illustrated in FIG. 1). Asdiscussed above with reference to FIG. 3, when coupling the interposerdevice 102 to the second side rail 108, the fastener 144 may be insertedthrough the hole 146 and come into engagement with the aperture 148 inthe interposer device 102.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the carrier mechanismof FIG. 1 in a partially assembled first configuration, according to oneaspect. In FIG. 5, the interposer device 102 may be secured to thesecond side rail 108 and the pull handle 104 may be secured to the firstside rail 106. As shown, the interposer device 102 may be located at thefront end of the data storage device 110 when the data storage device110 is placed within the carrier mechanism and the interposer device 102is not in use. The interposer device 102, as described above, may engagethe first and second side rails 106 and 108 to provide structuralrigidity for the first rail top end 103 a and the second rail top end105 a. The pull handle 104 may then be pivotably coupled to the firstside rail 106 over the interposer device 102.

FIG. 6 illustrates a close-up outer side perspective view of theinterposer device coupling to the first side rail 106 in FIG. 5. Asdiscussed above, the first end wall 132 of the interposer device 102 mayinclude one or more card fastening members 136, extending outwardly andintegrally connected to the first end wall 132, which may be insertedinto, and engaged with, one or more card attachment points 138 (See FIG.7) of the first side rail 106 for coupling the interposer device 102 tothe first rail top end 103 a of the first side rail 106.

FIG. 7 illustrates a close-up inner side perspective view of theinterposer device 102, secured to the second side rail 108, coupling tothe first side rail 106 at a front end of the carrier mechanism, inaccordance with the first configuration. As discussed above, theinterposer device 102 may be coupled to the first side rail 106 byinserting the one or more card fastening members 136 in the first endwall 132 of the interposer device 102 into, and engaging with, one ormore upper card attachment points 138 of the first side rail 106.

FIG. 8 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the carrier mechanismin a partially assembled second configuration, in accordance with oneaspect. As shown, the interposer device 102 may be secured to the secondrail bottom end of the second side rail 108 and coupled to the firstrail bottom end of the first side rail 106.

FIG. 9 illustrates a close-up outer side perspective view of theinterposer device coupling to the first side rail 106 at a back end ofthe carrier mechanism, according to the second configuration. In thesecond configuration, as discussed above, the interposer device 102 mayinclude one or more card fastening members 136, extending outwardly andintegrally connected to the first end wall 132, which may be insertedinto, and engaged with, one or more lower card attachment points 150 onthe first rail bottom end 103 b of the first side rail 106.

FIG. 10 illustrates an inner side perspective view of the interposerdevice coupling to a second side rail at a back end of the carriermechanism in the second configuration and FIG. 11 illustrates a close-upinner side perspective view of the interposer device coupling to thesecond side rail in FIG. 10. When coupling the interposer device 102 tothe second rail bottom end 105 a of the second rail, one or more cardfastener protrusions 140, extending outwardly and integrally connectedto the second wall 134 of the interposer device 102, may be received byone or more lower card attachment holes 143 in the second rail bottomend 105 b. Once coupled together, a fastener 145 may be inserted througha hole 147 in the second rail bottom end 105 b of the second side rail108 and into the aperture 148 (See FIG. 3) in the second end wall 134 ofthe interposer device 102 for securing the second side rail 108 to theinterposer device 102.

Those of skill in the art would further appreciate that the variousillustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm stepsdescribed in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may beimplemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinationsof both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware andsoftware, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits,and steps have been described above generally in terms of theirfunctionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware orsoftware depends upon the particular application and design constraintsimposed on the overall system.

While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in theaccompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments aremerely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, andthat this invention not be limited to the specific constructions andarrangements shown and described, since various other modifications mayoccur to those ordinarily skilled in the art.

1. A data storage device carrier mechanism, comprising: at least twoside rails adapted to attach to a data storage device, a first side railof the at least two side rails having a first rail top end and a firstrail bottom end and a second side rail of the at least two side railshaving a second rail top end and a second rail bottom end; and aninterposer device interchangeable between a first configuration and asecond configuration, the interposer device coupled to the first railtop end and the second rail top end when in the first configuration andcoupled to the first rail bottom end and the second rail bottom end whenin the second configuration.
 2. The data storage device carriermechanism of claim 1, further comprising: a pull handle pivotablycoupled to the first rail top end, the pull handle comprising a firstpull handle side and a second pull handle side extending upwardly andintegrally connected to a top pull handle side.
 3. The data storagedevice carrier mechanism of claim 2, wherein the pull handle is adaptedto fit over the interposer device when the interposer device isassembled in the first configuration.
 4. The data storage device carriermechanism of claim 1, wherein the interposer device is communicativelycoupled to a data interface for the data storage device when in thesecond configuration.
 5. The data storage device carrier mechanism ofclaim 1, wherein the at least two side rails are shifted in positionrelative to the data storage device when changing between the first andsecond configurations.
 6. The data storage device carrier mechanism ofclaim 5, wherein each of the at least two side rails include a firstattachment point and a second attachment point for securing the datastorage device to the at least two side rails, wherein the data storagedevice is secured at the first attachment point when in the firstconfiguration and secured at the second attachment point when in thesecond configuration.
 7. The data storage device carrier mechanism ofclaim 1, wherein the interposer device comprises: a flat surface; firstand second sidewalls; first and second end walls, the sidewalls and theend walls integrally connected to, and extending continuously from, theflat surface; one or more one fastening members extending outwardly andintegrally connected to the first end wall, the one or more onefastening members for releasable engagement with the carrier mechanism;and one or more one fastening protrusions extending outwardly andintegrally connected to the second end wall, the one or more onefastening protrusions for releasable engagement with the carriermechanism.
 8. The data storage device carrier mechanism of claim 7,wherein the first rail top end includes one or more upper cardattachment points for receiving the one or more card fastening memberslocated on the first end wall of the interposer device when theinterposer device is in the first configuration.
 9. The data storagedevice carrier mechanism of claim 8, wherein the second rail top endincludes one or more upper card attachment holes for receiving the oneor more card fastening protrusions located on the second end wall of theinterposer device when the interposer device is in the firstconfiguration.
 10. The data storage device carrier mechanism of claim 9,wherein a fastener is inserted through a hole in the second rail top endand into an aperture in the interposer device securing the interposerdevice to the second rail.
 11. The data storage device carrier mechanismof claim 7, wherein the first rail bottom end includes one or more lowercard attachment points located on the first rail bottom end forreceiving the one or more card fastening members located on the firstside wall of the interposer device when the interposer device is in thesecond configuration.
 12. The data storage device carrier mechanism ofclaim 11, wherein the second rail bottom end includes one or more lowercard attachment points for receiving the one or more card fasteningprotrusions located on the second wall of the interposer device when theinterposer device is in the second configuration.
 13. A data storagedevice carrier mechanism, comprising: at least two side rails adapted toattach to a data storage device, a first side rail of the at least twoside rails having a first rail top end and a first rail bottom end and asecond side rail of the at least two side rails having a second rail topend and a second rail bottom end; and an interposer deviceinterchangeable between a first configuration and a secondconfiguration, the interposer device coupled to the first rail top endand the second rail top end when in the first configuration and coupledto the first rail bottom end rail and the second rail bottom end when inthe second configuration, the at least two side rails shifted inposition relative to the data storage device when changing between thefirst and second configurations.
 14. The data storage device carriermechanism of claim 13, wherein each of the at least two side railsinclude a first attachment point and a second attachment point forsecuring the data storage device to the at least two side rails, whereinthe data storage device is secured at the first attachment point when inthe first configuration and secured at the second attachment point whenin the second configuration.
 15. The data storage device carriermechanism of claim 13, wherein the interposer device is communicativelycoupled to a data interface for the data storage device when in thesecond configuration, the interposer device including an electricalconnector that converts the data interface from a first type of datainterface to a second type of data interface.
 16. An interposer devicefor a data storage device carrier mechanism, comprising: a flat surface;first and second sidewalls; first and second end walls, the sidewallsand the end walls integrally connected to, and extending continuouslyfrom, the flat surface; at least one fastening member extendingoutwardly and integrally connected to the first end wall, the at leastone fastening member for releasable engagement with the carriermechanism; and at least one fastening protrusion extending outwardly andintegrally connected to the second end wall, the at least one fasteningprotrusion for releasable engagement with the carrier mechanism.
 17. Theinterposer device of claim 16, wherein the card is interchangeablebetween a first configuration and a second configuration.
 18. Theinterposer device of claim 17, wherein the carrier mechanism comprises afirst side rail and a second side rail adapted to attach to a datastorage device, the first side rail having a first rail top end and afirst rail bottom end and the second side rail having a second rail topend and a second rail bottom end; wherein the at least one fasteningmember of the interposer device is inserted into at least one upper cardattachment point on the first rail top end and the least one fasteningprotrusion of the interposer device inserted into the second rail topend when in the first configuration; and wherein the at least onefastening member of the interposer device is inserted into at least onelower card attachment point on the first rail bottom end and the leastone fastening protrusion inserted into the second rail bottom end whenin the second configuration.
 19. The interposer device of claim 18,wherein the interposer device is communicatively coupled to a datainterface for the data storage device when in the second configuration.20. The interposer device of claim 18, wherein the first and second siderails are shifted in position relative to the data storage device whenchanging between the first and second configurations.